Visual Programming Environments and Computational Thinking Performance of Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 073563312098880
Author(s):  
Sheng-Yi Wu ◽  
Yu-Sheng Su
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Algorithm Design ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Visual Programming ◽  
Male Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Programming Environments ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Thinking Ability

Currently, many countries actively cultivate students to develop computational thinking ability. Many visual programming environments (VPEs) and physical robot courses have been integrated into computational thinking learning in the elementary education stage. This study explores the relationship between the programming learning environment (including VPE, physical robots, and no experience) and the computational thinking ability of higher-grade elementary school students of different genders. The results show that learning through VPE or physical robots can help students improve their computational thinking ability and that students learn better via physical robots. In addition, among the four dimensions of computational thinking ability, most students are weak in algorithm design. In terms of gender, no differences exist in computational thinking ability. Further analysis reveals that female students have better decomposition performance in VPE learning, while male students have better algorithm design performance.

scholarly journals Empirical Research on the Cultivation of Primary School Students' Computational Thinking Based on Visual Programming——Take "Codemao" Platform Teaching as an Example

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Hongmei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Visual Programming ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Primary School Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Thinking Ability ◽  
Contemporary Education

With the rapid development of science and technology, cultivating primary school students' computational thinking ability is one of the most important tasks in contemporary education. Visual programming is closely related to computational thinking. Based on expounding their connotations and characteristics, this paper first analyzes the problems existing in the training of primary school students' computational thinking, then further constructs the training mode of primary school students' computational thinking based on visual programming and conducts classroom teaching practice research, finally puts forward suggestions on the training of primary school students' computational thinking based on visual programming, and provides effective practical guidance for training primary school students' computational thinking ability, innovation and problem-solving ability.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of Computational Thinking Assessment of Chinese Elementary School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 183449092110102
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Shan Xu ◽  
Jia Liu
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Key Aspects

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have brought attention to computational thinking (CT) in school education worldwide. However, little is known about the development of the literacy of CT in children, mainly because of the lack of proper psychometric assessments. We developed the first psychometrically validated assessment on the literacy of CT of children in Chinese elementary schools, coined as the Computational Thinking Assessment for Chinese Elementary Students (CTA-CES). Items were constructed to reflect key aspects of CT such as abstraction, algorithm thinking, decomposition, evaluation, and pattern recognition. To examine the test reliability and validity, we recruited two samples of 280 third- to sixth-grade students in total. Cronbach’s alpha provided evidence for the reliability of the test scores, item response theory analyses demonstrated psychometric appropriateness, whereas construct validity was verified by convergent validity, and criterion-related validity was confirmed by correlations between the CTA-CES and measures related to CT, namely reasoning, spatial ability, and verbal ability. In addition, an fMRI study further demonstrated similar neural activation patterns when students conducted the CTA-CES and programming tasks. Taken together, the CTA-CES is the first reliable and valid instrument for measuring the literacy of CT for Chinese children, and may be applicable to children worldwide.

scholarly journals Fostering Computational Thinking Through Data Visualization and Design on Secondary School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-302
Author(s):  
Güldem Alev Özkök
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Data Visualization ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Algorithm Design ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Problem Analysis ◽  
Complex Data ◽  
School Students

This research aims to model the process of data visualization (DV) and design to facilitate computational thinking (CT) of secondary-level students. As an interdisciplinary method for visualizing complex data, creating data visualizations requires learners to analyze data from knowledge of pure and applied science. This study investigates creating DV to facilitate CT as an interdisciplinary method which combines mathematics and information technology. The study was carried out using synthesised design-based research (DBR) method by conducting two cycles comprised of five phases: problem analysis within real-life context, design solution, develop solution, evaluate in practice and reflection. CT dimensions (decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design) were tested by using the Computational Thinking through Data Visualization Rubric and reflection form acquired during implementation. The sample consisted of secondary school students in the data visualization creation process with 27 in the first cycle and 31 in the second cycle. This research proposes a model to facilitate development of CT by DV with the analysis of complex data, creating an effective method by enabling analytics and visualizing data. The proposed DV development process facilitating CT has the potential to inform research on interdisciplinary learning environments.

scholarly journals Investigating the Computational Thinking Ability of Young School Students Across Grade Levels in Two Different Types of Romanian Educational Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Zoltan Katai ◽  
Erika Osztian ◽  
Beata Lorincz
Keyword(s):  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Education Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Learning Tasks ◽  
Thinking Ability ◽  
K 12

Over the last decade, continuous efforts have been made to bring computational thinking (CT) closer to K-12 education. These focused endeavors implicitly suggest that the current curricula do not sufficiently contribute to the development of learners’ CT. On the other hand, since CT is a combined skill with cross-disciplinary implications, one might conclude that even without an explicit focus on CS education, students’ CT might develop latently as they advance with the current curriculum. We have proposed to test whether differences exist in how 3rd-, 5th-, 7th- and 9th-grade learners from two Romanian educational institutions (girls vs. boys from Art vs. Theoretical school; 214 subjects with no prior experience in CT) relate to learning tasks that require a certain level of CT. The testing tool was inspired by the AlgoRythmics dance choreography illustration of the linear search algorithm and has the potential to reveal different levels of abstracting. Findings emphasize the need for a purposeful and coordinated CS infusion into K-9 education in order to accelerate students’ CT development.

scholarly journals Problem Based Learning to Improve HOTS of High School Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCIANA DWI NOMA ◽  
BASKORO ADI PRAYITNO ◽  
SUWARNO SUWARNO
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
High Order ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Environment Pollution ◽  
School Students ◽  
Research Cycle ◽  
Thinking Ability ◽  
Essay Test ◽  
High Order Thinking ◽  
Pbl Model

This research aimed to improve the high-order thinking ability of students by applying PBL model in Environment Pollution of 10<sup>th</sup> MIA 3 graders of SMA Negeri 2 Sukoharjo. This study was a classroom action research followed the Kemmis and Mc. Taggart’s, and conducted in two cycles, from April to May 2016. Each cycle consisted of 4 stages: planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The participants were 31 students (18 female and 13 male students) of 10<sup>th</sup> MIA 3 graders of SMA Negeri 2 Sukoharjo. Data was obtained using essay test on the high-order thinking ability, interview, observation sheet on the implementation of PBL syntax, observation sheet on affective and psychomotor aspects of students. Essay test of high-order thinking ability includes: analyzing (C4), evaluating (C5), and creating (C6) based on Bloom’s revised taxonomy. Data analysis was descriptively. The target of research was the improvement of students’ high-order thinking ability in every aspect more than 23% from based line to the end of research cycle. The result shows that the PBL model in environment pollution material is able to improve the high-order thinking ability of students by ≥23% from based line to the end of research cycle. The increase of percentage gain in each aspect of high-order thinking ability from pre-cycle to cycle II was as follows: 1) the analyzing aspect increased by 25.16%, 2) the evaluating aspect increased by 26.66%, and 3) the creating aspect increased by 23.95%.

INFLUENCE OF ATTENDING EXTRACURRICULAR SPORTS ACTIVITIES ON FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES OF FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

sportlogia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40
Author(s):  
Luka Androja ◽  
◽  
Josip Miočić ◽  
Dražen Adžić ◽  
Žarko Bilić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Functional Abilities ◽  
School Students ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Sports Activities

The sample consisted of 121 respondents from fifth and sixth-grade elementary schools from the City of Zadar. A research was conducted to determine the differences between students who, in addition to physical education and health education, also attend some other form of extracurricular sports activity. By conducting a descriptive analysis, we obtained results that show us that male students engaged in extracurricular activity achieved 21.28% better average results than respondents who do not engage in extracurricular activities. Female respondents engaged in extracurricular activities achieved 9.16% better results than respondents who did not engage in extracurricular activities (better scores in the test to assess functional ability (F6 test)). Using the t-test, we found that empirical levels of significance were statistically significant (p = 0.000) for all respondents in both sexes in functional abilities (F6 test). The authors can claim that students attending some forms of extracurricular sports activity have a better score in the variable F6. By performing regression analysis, authors cannot predict the result in the F6 test based on anthropometric characteristics of body height (TV) and body weight (TT). To improve the functional abilities of students, each teacher should encourage them to attend some additional forms of extracurricular sports activities in the form of improving the overall anthropological status.

scholarly journals Attitudes of Primary School Students in Saudi Arabia Towards Using PowerPoint Program in Classroom

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mohammed Elmetwali Mohammed Amer
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Primary School Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Information Retention ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Positive Attitudes

The present study aimed to explore the attitudes of primary school students in Saudi Arabia towards using PowerPoint program in classroom. A descriptive analytical approach was adopted and a questionnaire was developed. The researcher selected a purposive sample consisting of305 sixth grade male students from five primary schools in Al-Sulail, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire forms were distributed to all of those students. All of the distributed forms were retrieved and considered valid for analysis. SPSS program was used. It was found that most of the primary school students in Saudi Arabia have excellent skills in using the PowerPoint program. It was found that primary school students in Saudi Arabia have positive attitudes towards using PowerPoint program in classroom. It was found that using PowerPoint enriches students’ knowledge, and increases their concentration, and academic achievement. It was found that using PowerPoint improves students’ understanding of the material, problem solving skills, and information retention. 

scholarly journals COMPUTATIONAL THINKING ABILITY STUDENTS BASED ON GENDER IN CALCULUS LEARNING

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 977
Author(s):  
Triana Harmini ◽  
Pradipta Annurwanda ◽  
Siti Suprihatiningsih
Keyword(s):  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Test Analysis ◽  
Ability Test ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Thinking Ability ◽  
Quasi Experimental

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the computational thinking skills of first students of the Department of Informatics Engineering based on genders. This study uses quasi-experimental methods. The subjects in this study were semester two students of the Department of Informatics Engineering in 2019/2020. The research subjects were 34 male students and 23 female students. Methods of data collection using tests and observations. The research instrument used was a computational thinking ability test and an observation sheet. Data analysis using a t-test (independent sample) with analysis prerequisites in normality and homogeneity tests. Test analysis utilizing the help of IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The study of research data shows that there are significant differences between the computational thinking ability of male and female students. The average results of the computational thinking ability test showed that male students' computational thinking ability is better than the female students' computational thinking ability. The male and female students' computational thinking skills reach the generalization stage, where male students can find solutions directly through easy-to-understand and straightforward ideas. Meanwhile, female students can explain the flow and concepts used to solve problems.  AbstrakTujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui perbedaan kemampuan berpikir komputasi mahasiswa semester awal jurusan Teknik Informatika berdasarkan jenis kelamin. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen semu. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa semester 2 jurusan Teknik Informatika tahun ajaran 2019/2020. Subjek penelitian adalah 34 siswa laki-laki dan 23 siswa perempuan. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan tes dan observasi. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah tes kemampuan berpikir komputasi dan lembar observasi. Analisis data menggunakan uji-t dengan prasyarat analisis berupa uji normalitas dan homogenitas. Uji analisis menggunakan bantuan IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara kemampuan berpikir komputasi siswa laki-laki dan perempuan. Hasil rata-rata tes kemampuan berpikir komputasi diperoleh bahwa kemampuan berpikir komputasi siswa laki-laki lebih baik daripada kemampuan berpikir komputasi siswa perempuan. Kemampuan berpikir komputasi mahasiswa putra dan putri mencapai tahap generalisasi, dimana mahasiswa putra mampu mencari penyelesaian secara langsung melalui ide sederhana dan mudah dipahami. Sedangkan mahasiswa putri mampu menjelaskan alur dan konsep yang digunakan untuk menyelesaikan masalah.

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